How to write a great speech

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines a speech as “the communication of thoughts in spoken words.” Speeches are often delivered at meetings, lectures, presentations (at work or school), and also during events of national significance. However, one thing that often seems to stand out regardless of the place or the form of delivery, and it involves the theme of the speech. A speech must always coincide with the theme of an event, and good orators always remember to remain relevant.

Preparations

However, before someone gives a speech, they must, first of all, write their speech. Speech writing is not a difficult endeavor, especially if individual, but there are important things that need to be considered. Here are a few tips on how you should prepare yourself when called upon to write or give a speech.

Topic Choice

Nearly all events you are invited to have themes, and the expectation is that everyone will act or speak within the confines of the theme. It is, therefore, essential to, first of all, understand the theme of an event before you select a topic for your speech. The message delivered in an event should not only be heavy with a particular message, but also relevant to the audience gathered. However, while the above must be ensured, the orator or speech writer must also choose something they are passionate about. All good and moving speeches have great impacts on the audience mainly because the audience identifies with the passion and heart with which an individual delivers their speech. The topic chosen is, therefore, an important part of speech writing.

Types of Speech

After selecting the topic of for your speech, the next part involves determining or establishing the type of speech you are supposed to give. Knowing the type of speech you give is important because it helps you arrange and plan for your delivery. There are four types of speeches that people give, and they include:

Informative speeches

This type of speech aims at providing useful and factual information to the audience.

Persuasive speeches

Persuasive speeches aim at convincing the audience to change their perception or idea of something.

Demonstrative Speeches

A demonstrative speech aims at teaching the audience something. For example, you can give a speech that teaches the audience how to bake a cake.

Entertaining speeches

Entertaining speeches aim amusing or providing pleasure to the audience.

Purpose of Speech

Whenever you are giving a speech, it is important to have a purpose or a thesis which summarizes your main point. A thesis mainly represents the main reason why you are writing a speech, and it aims at making sure the audience relates or gets the main message from the speech. Every speech aims at having an impact on the audience, and this can only be done when a speech is written with a central message. Therefore, it is important that speech writing is done with a specific goal in mind or else the audience might start showing instances of boredom or a lack of interest.

Speech Writing Process

Outline

When writing a speech, it is important to start with an outline before finally coming up with the content. A speech outline is not difficult to prepare and only requires that the writer includes the necessary sections. While content generation can be quite a task, an outline for a speech only asks that the writer includes the main points or the main arguments as well as the thesis statement. Below is a generic template for a speech outline:

Introduction

– Customary to open a speech with a quote or an anecdote.– Outline the purpose of the speech.– Provide a summary of your main points.

Main body

– Elucidate on your first and strongest point.– Include a weaker second point.– Finish with a strong point. Recover from the weakest point.

Conclusion

– Restate your main arguments.– Provide a summary of your main point.– End with a call for action or compelling remark.

Thesis

A speech thesis primarily speaks to the audience about the writer’s main point in the speech. The audience should not be kept waiting in suspense while waiting for the writer to make their point. The main argument should be made in the introduction when the audience is highly receptive. However, it is important that the writer considers their type of speech before writing their thesis statement. The above is mainly because a thesis statement should mirror the type of speech being given, that is, it should be written within the confines of the type of speech. If, for example, the speech in question is a persuasive speech, the following would be a perfect example of a thesis statement:

It is indeed hypocritical for the US to enact laws that bar certain people from entering their country while it is at the same time pushing for world cohesion and unity.

Introduction

A speech introduction sets the stage for either success or failure. Some orators start their speech strongly and always seem to maintain their energy in the entire speech. However, there are others who start strong and lack the quality of maintaining their energy throughout the speech. Conversely, others start low and finish high, and others still start low and finish low.

When writing an introduction for a speech, the above are important. Writers should always start strong and make sure that their opening statement will grab their audience’s attention. The introduction should state the main arguments as well as the main thesis or argument. Here, a strong impression is indeed required, and if missed, it will indeed be hard to get the attention of the audience back.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should contain the main arguments or points as stated in the introduction. The writer must include their main points and ensure that they offer sufficient evidence to support them.

The best strategy that most orators use is:

– Start with your strongest point
– Have your weaker point in the middle.
– Finish with a strong point.

Conclusion

When writing a conclusion for a speech, it is important for the writer to finish strongly. A speech conclusion should contain a summary of the main points, a restatement of the thesis statement, and finally, an afterthought or a call to act.

Tips for Effective Speech Writing

Speech writing tips exist all over the internet, and while some are credible, others are misleading, and it is important to differentiate them.

Below are some tips for an effective speech:

Use custom writing company. The easiest way of speech writing, simply visit site like customessayorder or essayzoo and experienced writers will write a great speech for you.

Try and be memorable. Make your thesis simple and something that the audience will remember long after the speech.

Avoid wasting the opening moment. Make a great or strong impression with your opening statement.

Repeat yourself periodically. Emphasize the main arguments and make sure that everyone gets or understands you.

Have a specific tone that is consistent and appropriate for your audience.

Make use of transitions within your speech. The audience needs to know whenever you introduce a new point or argument.